Have to Move... Any Tips

I just got my mold results back this morning. My family is living in a toxic home. The HERTSMI-2 test is an extremely reliable test that uses PCR testing of dust collected in the house. If the score is < 10, the house is safe to go into for people with CIRS. If it is 11 - 14, the use of HEPA filter air purifiers is recommended. If the score is >15, the house is not safe for entry for those with CIRS. My house score is 28! We have already spent almost $10k remediating, but it doesn't look to have been enough. This is a huge blow to us. I really don't know how to approach this. We are in financial straits. The only thing I can think to do is just move and let the house go into foreclosure. There is no way I can pay this mortgage and rent at another place. We are already in a position where we have to file bankruptcy, so may as well add the house in as well.

This is a blessing and a curse at the same time. Financially, this is devastating. But, I know that once I remove myself from exposure I can actually start to heal.

I am so sorry. My HERTSMI-2 was 10, and my mother and I were sick from mold, even at 10. It's been a year and a half since doing the ERMI / HERTSMI-2.

Just had an air test done, as we were thinking of remediating. On the air test, Aspergillis was over 6,000 and Stachy and Chaetomium were 24. Stachy and Chaetomium rarely end up in an air sample because of their weight. I was floored by the results, and am not even sure I trust them. We left the house in Oct 2016 but kept the HVAC running.

Just to make sure, it is the HERTSMI-2 and not the ERMI that is 28, correct?

If it really is the HERTSMI-2 that is 28, then please educate yourself on mycotoxin cross contamination of possessions so you don't take the toxins with you when you leave.

There is loads of conflicting and some blatantly inaccurate info on the internet about this. There have also been posts on this forum that include some questionable info. I just posted on this the other day.

You will probably find conflicting info among these as well. You can also look for Scott Forsgren's conference notes from CIRS conferences and review what was talked about in terms of mold remediation and content cleaning, etc.

I just thought of something,. According to the CIRS experts, standard remediation often fails and makes things worse because they either don't remove it properly and spread the contaminants or beacause they do not clean small particulate matter.

If you want to cut your losses and walk away, I don't blame you. If, however, you want to stay but don't know how to fix the problem, then you might consider consulting with one of the CIRS remediation guys who partner with Shoemaker. They don't work for free, though, and you still may not get what you need or pay for. Some people did. I didn't.

If you are doing the work yourself or are working with someone willing to learn, you might benefit from the free video instructions.

WBF - Thank you so much. Yes, it was the HERTSMI-2 that is 28. Almost 3x the limit. I initially did air testing that came out with acceptable levels. But as I found out, those are unreliable. We are cutting our losses and leaving. Since I am the one showing signs of infection, I will be pitching a tent in the backyard til we move. We plan on ditching our beds and fabric furniture. Nonporous items we will clean with benefect and keep. I have also read all the conflicting info. It's disheartening to say the least. I am not leaving everything, just the things that I cannot run through a washing machine or wipe down.

Lapis_29 - I wish we were in a position to move to CO. But, we are not. Truth be told, we are in no position to uproot and leave our current residence. But, it is necessary. I would also like to get a new mobile home for the immediate future, but that will be difficult. We will be renting and will test the new place with the HERTSMI-2 as well. From what I have read, and what my CIRS Dr says, the HERTSMI-2 is more reliable than the ERMI. And cheaper to boot.

otherwise consider buying a brand new mobile home and/or manufactured home, no mold issues there for sure

basements are ALWAYS moldy, always. try to find a home without a basement if possible.

I disagree strongly.

It is indoor mold that causes CIRS. Dry places still have plumbing, icemaker water lines, and HVAC systems that can leak or get moldy.

I wouldn't move across the country without visiting the place and having overwhelming improvement of symptoms while visiting. Furthermore, mold is not the only biotoxin that causes CIRS. If you have one of the multi-susceptible. HLA-DR genes, you must also avoid cyanobacteria and other biotoxins like the desert fungus in Arizona and California that causes Valley Fever.

ANY home, old or new, can have mold. Newer construction is fast and cheap with no thought of quality. Building materials often get wet and moldy during construction. I have seen it. I've also seen brand new stores and restaurants with multiple leaks and brown ceiling tiles showing evidence of water damage.

Don't know why you think a mobile home can't have mold.

I DO AGREE about basements.

Dirt crawlspaces should also be avoided if at all possible. That's the biggest problem in my house.

If you are chemically and/or electrically sensitive, you will also need to consider those issues when you move.

Hoagie I am so sorry but would make the same decision faced with your situation.

I continue to attempt to battle mold but only because the house is concrete and except for a few throw rugs, we do not have carpet to contend with and they do not build basements here because of relentless humidity for much of the year.

It may still turn out I will still need a negative air machine to get to levels where inflammation wont be experienced. At least the inflammation is a fairly reliable guide on progress.2014 Mold Sick,2015 Clinical Lyme and co.,2016 Morgellons,2017 Remission YT: ClintFromNYtoVA2Twitter: @ClintFromNYtoVAupdated 21apr18 Blog: www.fascinatingtimetobealive.blogspot.com/" The path to disappointment is paved with expectations "

ChickenArise said...Hoagie I am so sorry but would make the same decision faced with your situation.

I continue to attempt to battle mold but only because the house is concrete and except for a few throw rugs, we do not have carpet to contend with and they do not build basements here because of relentless humidity for much of the year.

It may still turn out I will still need a negative air machine to get to levels where inflammation wont be experienced. At least the inflammation is a fairly reliable guide on progress.

To add insult to injury I received my MARCoNS results today. I tested positive for large amounts of it and E Coli as well. Oh well. Pitched a tent in my back yard and going to stay out here with my son til we move. I need to get all of us out of that house asap, but my son has been having psych issues lately and thinking he needs to be out of there now too.

To add insult to injury I received my MARCoNS results today. I tested positive for large amounts of it and E Coli as well. Oh well. Pitched a tent in my back yard and going to stay out here with my son til we move. I need to get all of us out of that house asap, but my son has been having psych issues lately and thinking he needs to be out of there now too.

What a tornado today. Not sure where to look to move.

Hey - it can be fun in a tent - I bet your son will love camping with his dad in the backyard.Hope you’re not getting extreme weather there and it’s not too hot.

ChickenArise said...Hoagie I am so sorry but would make the same decision faced with your situation.

I continue to attempt to battle mold but only because the house is concrete and except for a few throw rugs, we do not have carpet to contend with and they do not build basements here because of relentless humidity for much of the year.

It may still turn out I will still need a negative air machine to get to levels where inflammation wont be experienced. At least the inflammation is a fairly reliable guide on progress.

ChickenArise,

Where is the mold that's in your house? What caused it?A few years back there was a leak in the roof. There is no insulation between the roof and ceiling just airspace, so I call it a false attic. At one time this also had no ventilation a common thing overlooked by Panamanian Builders (now that I began paying attention).

Mold eventually began to manifest on the inside of the ceiling as well. I've seen at least 4 different kinds. The ceiling tile is not a bunch of squares I could easily remove and clean, but large sheets connected by some fastening seam and screws.

I've attempted to fog both sides but it didnt work well in the attic side but this could be because I continued to use ozone as a mold treatment which I no longer do, as it degrades the application of Concrobium Mold Control Spray.

Maybe its time to attempt fogging that area again.2014 Mold Sick,2015 Clinical Lyme and co.,2016 Morgellons,2017 Remission YT: ClintFromNYtoVA2Twitter: @ClintFromNYtoVAupdated 21apr18 Blog: www.fascinatingtimetobealive.blogspot.com/" The path to disappointment is paved with expectations "

To add insult to injury I received my MARCoNS results today. I tested positive for large amounts of it and E Coli as well. Oh well. Pitched a tent in my back yard and going to stay out here with my son til we move. I need to get all of us out of that house asap, but my son has been having psych issues lately and thinking he needs to be out of there now too.

What a tornado today. Not sure where to look to move.

Hey - it can be fun in a tent - I bet your son will love camping with his dad in the backyard.Hope you’re not getting extreme weather there and it’s not too hot.

I am sending positive, healing thoughts to you Hoagie.Please keep us posted here - we care about you!!Thanks Girlie!

It's going to be around 80 for the next week, so can't complain. Just worried about the family at this point.

ChickenArise said...Hoagie I am so sorry but would make the same decision faced with your situation.

I continue to attempt to battle mold but only because the house is concrete and except for a few throw rugs, we do not have carpet to contend with and they do not build basements here because of relentless humidity for much of the year.

It may still turn out I will still need a negative air machine to get to levels where inflammation wont be experienced. At least the inflammation is a fairly reliable guide on progress.

ChickenArise,

Where is the mold that's in your house? What caused it?A few years back there was a leak in the roof. There is no insulation between the roof and ceiling just airspace, so I call it a false attic. At one time this also had no ventilation a common thing overlooked by Panamanian Builders (now that I began paying attention).

Mold eventually began to manifest on the inside of the ceiling as well. I've seen at least 4 different kinds. The ceiling tile is not a bunch of squares I could easily remove and clean, but large sheets connected by some fastening seam and screws.

I've attempted to fog both sides but it didnt work well in the attic side but this could be because I continued to use ozone as a mold treatment which I no longer do, as it degrades the application of Concrobium Mold Control Spray.

Maybe its time to attempt fogging that area again.Couldn't you have just replaced the ceiling? Is it that much more expensive that all the equipment and products you've been using and apparently have to keep using?

To add insult to injury I received my MARCoNS results today. I tested positive for large amounts of it and E Coli as well. Oh well. Pitched a tent in my back yard and going to stay out here with my son til we move. I need to get all of us out of that house asap, but my son has been having psych issues lately and thinking he needs to be out of there now too.

What a tornado today. Not sure where to look to move.

I'm sorry, Hoagie.

I'll be praying for you and your family that God will give you wisdom and direction on where to go. Maybe He has something awesome up ahead for you that will be better in many ways than anything you leave behind.

To add insult to injury I received my MARCoNS results today. I tested positive for large amounts of it and E Coli as well. Oh well. Pitched a tent in my back yard and going to stay out here with my son til we move. I need to get all of us out of that house asap, but my son has been having psych issues lately and thinking he needs to be out of there now too.

What a tornado today. Not sure where to look to move.

I'm sorry, Hoagie.

I'll be praying for you and your family that God will give you wisdom and direction on where to go. Maybe He has something awesome up ahead for you that will be better in many ways than anything you leave behind.Beautiful, WBFModerator, Lyme ForumSymp started April/2013; Buhner's Lyme May 15-July24/14; Igenex pos. July 3/14Doxy: July 4-Aug.24/14;Zithro July26-Aug24/14; Amox + Proben. Aug. 29/14; added biaxin Sept. 26/14 Disc. amox,added Ceftin Nov. 20th.; Disc. biaxin added Buhner bart herbs Dec/14;Jan/15 pulsing Tinda (w/ Ceftin); Abx/herb break Apr-July/15; July-mino; Aug. added Rif; Nov./15 mino - to biaxi

Couldn't you have just replaced the ceiling? Is it that much more expensive that all the equipment and products you've been using and apparently have to keep using?

It may come down to that and the negative air machine to exhaust the existing remaining spores.

The building is 70 x 30 or 40 and hosts 3 apartments. Not exactly a small or cheap undertaking but thank goodness there is no insulation nor wood involved.

Honestly, that roof may need to go too as we recently had to patch it again. This is what gave me pause and still does. If it needs to be replaced it will have to be done in the next dry season.

You gotta remember I only recently discovered all issues were due to residual mold spores.

The HEPA air filters were a needed stop gap in the interim anyhow. But absolutely it may need to go. Cheaper? I will get back to you.2014 Mold Sick,2015 Clinical Lyme and co.,2016 Morgellons,2017 Remission YT: ClintFromNYtoVA2Twitter: @ClintFromNYtoVAupdated 21apr18 Blog: www.fascinatingtimetobealive.blogspot.com/" The path to disappointment is paved with expectations "

The question now is which negative air machine or air scrubber after watching the survivingremediation.com videos ? It almost suggests an air scrubber is better.2014 Mold Sick,2015 Clinical Lyme and co.,2016 Morgellons,2017 Remission YT: ClintFromNYtoVA2Twitter: @ClintFromNYtoVAupdated 21apr18 Blog: www.fascinatingtimetobealive.blogspot.com/" The path to disappointment is paved with expectations "